Background
In the 1930's-40s, cameras became bigger to accommodate the lip sync requirements that everyone wanted for their films. The end of 1950's introduced things such as smaller sound recorders, better lenses and film stock as technology improved. 1962 was when cameras became easily hand-held without interference to filming. This revolutionised film-making in the 60's/70's for documentaries as they could follow their subjects around in public spaces without huge disruptions.
Ethics
Documentary film-makers have a responsibility towards their human subjects. It is expected that the subjects are treated with respect and honestly represented on camera. Exploitation in the name of entertainment is a moral conundrum. Special care must be taken with vulnerable subjects like children and the mentally ill.
Titicut Follies is a 1967 film that observes the life of criminally insane people in a home. Showed the public events that they werent aware were happening like force feeding, humiliation tactics and bullying. Despite having permission, the film was banned for public viewing due to violating the patients privacy, keeping it strictly to medical professionals until 1991.
Documentary revival in the early 2000's include March of the Penguins, Bowling for Columbine and Super Size me. Some programs blended real with unreal as a style ie. Reality TV shows(Survivor, Big Brother), Found Footage style(Blair Witch Project) and Mockumentaries. (This Is Spinal Tap). What We Do in the Shadows is a NZ example.
Cinema Veritae film
Crocs Down Under by Steve Irwin (1998)
Definitely a cinema veritae, Steve Irwin is known for getting himself in the middle of his subjects to the point that it is an internet joke/meme. His trademark is provoking animals and heavy australian slang speech while educating the viewers on the animals he is interacting with.
Project X (2012)
Direct Cinema Film
This Is Spinal Tap
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